Following a lengthy layoff after sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics say they are more than ready to tip off against the Mavericks at a “rocking” and “rowdy” TD Garden.
Fans are all revved up and ready to roar the Green and White to Banner 18, with some flowing into the ProShop to load up on gear and others taking in the scene on Causeway Street ahead of Game 1.
“It’s hard not to love these guys,” Belmont resident Sam Creehan told the Herald, while picking up T-shirts for his two young kids. “I personally love Derrick White, but they’re all great. Al Horford, still going strong, has stepped up huge these last few series. It’s definitely a worthy successor to all the other eras of Celtics basketball.”
Inside the Garden, the basketball world descended upon Boston for NBA Finals Media Day.
Hordes of media from all over the world – China, Europe and South America – came out Wednesday to interact with players from both sides.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who is set to return Thursday after missing the past 10 games, drew a massive crowd that spun from the baseline out past the 3-point line.
While other stars – Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday for the Celtics, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the Mavericks – talked with reporters inside a conference room, role players and reserves also got healthy recognition.
Every player highlighted the excitement they have for getting the opportunity to play the game they love on the highest stage. Some even got to drink tea and crack jokes with Guillermo Rodriguez, a sidekick for Jimmy Kimmel.
“I think we’re just excited to get going,” Celtics forward Sam Hauser said. “I think, I don’t know, it’s been eight or nine days since we played our last game. Everybody is anxious to get back on the court, play in front of these fans. I know the Garden is going to be rocking tomorrow. We’re excited.”
Horford added: “I know our fans are even more excited. It’s the Finals. They’re going to be rowdy. They’re going to get after it. 8:30 start. … I can’t wait to see them bring that energy.”
Irving, who some Boston media have dubbed as the one of the city’s most hated sports villains, knows full well how rowdy the Garden gets for big games. The former Celtic was on the team when Boston lost in Game 7 in 2018 to his former team, the Cavaliers.
His advice to his younger teammates on handling the Garden atmosphere? “What they’re saying to you, you have to breathe, realize that is not as hostile as you think it is. Don’t overthink it.”
Mavericks center Dwight Powell, also a former Celtic, has been in Dallas since being traded from Boston in the 2014-15 season, well before Brown and Tatum were drafted.
The Celtics team is now entirely different, but Powell said he had “dreamed of the future to come back here like this.”
“It’s a special place to play, especially an NBA Finals,” he said. “I know the energy is going to be insane. Their fan base is one of the best, for sure. They’re going to support their team. We’re going to feed off the energy.”
Patrick Lewis strolled over from his West End home to take in the scene on Causeway Street, watching a replay of an ESPN broadcast segment from inside the Garden while glancing at the same broadcasters who were stationed outside later in the afternoon.
Lewis reflected on his fandom for the Celtics over the years and on how pivotal trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn for draft picks in 2013 turned out to be, with those picks later turning into Tatum and Brown.
The continued growth of the two superstars has Lewis feeling confident.
“I know there’s a lot of pressure to do it this year just because that’s how it is in New England – a lot of pressure to win championships in New England,” he said. “I think we’ve got it.”
